Integrated light source

• US 20020118538A1
• Filed: 01/31/2002
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Calon, Georges Marie, Buddemeijer-Lock, Annemarie Paulien, Van Der Eyden, Josephus Theodorus
• Granted Patent: US 6,688,753 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/236
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/56 One or more circuit elements structurally associated with the lamp
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 35/00 Electric light sources using a combination of different types of light generation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source

Abstract

The lighting unit comprises a first lighting element (10) and a second lighting element (11). In operation, the first lighting element (10) has a comparatively high light output. The second lighting element (20, 20′) has a light output, in operation, which is relatively low in comparison with that of the first lighting element (10). The lighting unit comprises a control mechanism (40) including a switching means with a toggle function that is responsive to sequential switches in the power applied to the lighting unit. By selecting the proper switching sequence, either the first lighting element or the second lighting element or both lighting elements are switched on. Preferably, the first lighting element is a compact fluorescent discharge vessel (10), and the second lighting element comprises a plurality of LEDs (20, 20′). The lighting unit enables remote-controlled switching between orientation light (night lamp) and normal light, using the toggle function in the lighting unit.

Claims

1. An integrated light source comprising a first light-emitting element (10) and a second light-emitting element (20, 20′

), characterized in that

the first light-emitting element (10) has, in operation, a comparatively high light output,

the second light-emitting element (20, 20′

) has, in operation, a light output which is relatively low in comparison with that of the first light-emitting element (10), and

the integrated light source is further provided with a control mechanism (40) comprising means that are responsive to sequential changes in voltage, so that, at the user'"'"'s choice, at least one of the light-emitting elements (10;

20, 20′

) can be switched on or off.

2. An integrated light source as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first light-emitting element comprises a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge vessel (10), and the second light-emitting element comprises at least one light-emitting diode (20, 20′

).

3. An integrated light source as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first light-emitting element (10) is surrounded by an outer bulb (60), the second light-emitting element (20, 20′

) being situated in the space between the first light-emitting element (10) and the outer bulb (60).

4. An integrated light source as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first light-emitting element comprises a compact low-pressure mercury vapor discharge vessel (10), and the second light-emitting element comprises at least one light-emitting diode (20, 20′

).

5. An integrated light source as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control mechanism (40) is provided in a housing (70) of the integrated light source.